Revolt in the face of the excessive increase in rentals
Recently, a group of residents of protected housing blocks in Salou and Sentmenat, managed by Inmocaixa, has decided to suspend the payment of rents in response to the abusive practices of the owners. This decision is presented as one of the first actions coordinated after the massive demonstration of November 23, organized by the Tenants’ Union with the slogan ‘It’s over: We lower the rents!’.
A problem that grows in Catalonia
Catalonia has seen that access to housing becomes one of the most important concerns for its population, as indicated by the barometer of the Center for Opinion Studies. The Bank of Spain data reveals that rent prices have increased by 58% between 2015 and 2023, while salaries have grown by only 17%. This disparity has contributed to an alarming increase in evictions.
Increased evictions
According to the Associable Housing Observatory of Provival, approximately 41,000 evictions have been recorded in Spain during 2023, most of which are due to the non -payment of rents. More than 65% of households spend a quarter of their rent income, with 31% over 40%.
Collective actions for a decent housing
The Mortgage Affected Platform (PAH) and the Tenants’ Union have been a pioneer in the defense of the right to housing. Their actions, such as the November manifestation, have highlighted the insufficiency of public policies to control the increase in prices and guarantee proper social housing.
The current situation of social housing
Currently, only 2.5% of the housing stock in Spain is intended for social rent, a figure that is far below the European average of 9%. This low investment is one of the main obstacles to addressing the housing crisis in a structural way.
A necessary mobilization
In the face of this reality, it is essential that there will be a collective and intergenerational mobilization that shows inequalities and requires effective measures by the authorities. The right to decent housing cannot be subordinated to the interests of the market.
Diversity of affected groups
It is vital that the actions take into account the diversity of groups affected by residential exclusion: young people, migrants, unemployed people, single -parent families, among others. Citizen involvement in political decision spaces is essential to ensure that housing is a universal right and not a privilege.
The future of housing struggle
In order to get the phrase ‘finished’ to become a reality, a continuous commitment and a joint effort are needed to cover both the institutional struggle and the direct action. Only in this way can a future be built where housing is a guaranteed right for everyone.
